17. Groan in silence for the dead, but do not perform mourning rites. Bind on your turban and put your sandals on your feet. Do not cover your lip and do not eat food brought by others.”
18. So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning I acted just as I was commanded.
19. Then the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?”
20. So I said to them: “The word of the Lord came to me:
21. Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Realize I am about to desecrate my sanctuary – the source of your confident pride, the object in which your eyes delight, and your life’s passion. Your very own sons and daughters whom you have left behind will die by the sword.